During Tuesday's city council, IT was discussed between two council members.

Mayor Richard Sangster and Mayor Pro Tem Nick Couture shared different sides of the IT argument.

What is IT? IT is a city income tax.

"Things we feel as a council, at least a consensus, seems to be things that need to be done such as sidewalks; lots of things have come up including parking lots," Couture said. "Overall, the finalized question is where are we going to get the money?"

That is when the mayor pro tem asked about establishing a city income tax.

"Something we looked at a while back but it never grew any legs and took off was a city income tax," Couture said. "It is something that needs to be voted on by the city voters. It is a way to gain more money with money from out of town helping."

The topic centered around the city trying to come up with extra funds to deal with such items as sidewalks, trees and other non-operational items.

"Ask the people who vote to help out. Do you want to see this amount of money per year go toward sidewalks," Couture said.

However, Sangster brought up the downside of establishing a city income tax.

"I would be worried about the negative impact of any taxes," the mayor said. "It is a common factor that they do bring in more money in the shortfall.

"I would be afraid that we would undermine all these factories that are talking about coming here," Sangster added. "I would like to hold true and plan on development to get our property values up."

Couture said it came down to a difference of opinion between the two men

"You are going to put a lot of strain on the working family," Sangster added.

On Wednesday, Couture said he agrees with the mayor that no one wants to pay more taxes.

"This is a chance for voters to pay another tax and gain money from people who work here, but don't live here," he said. "I don't know if it is the right thing, but it could be left up to the voters."

The closest city to Cheboygan with an income tax is Grayling where residents are taxed 1 percent and non-residents are taxed 0.5 percent.

"There is quite a bit to gain from it," Couture said. "There is a drawback. It potentially could deter new business."

Page 2 of 2 - On the flip side, he said this is an opportunity to get nonresidents to pay for things they use when in the city.

"We don't have to have sidewalks or plant new trees," Couture said. "Those are luxuries of being a city."

He said a vote on an income tax helps residents.

"This is the only tax they can choose if they want it or not," the mayor pro tem said of holding an income tax vote. "This is a chance to throw a skin in the game. I look at it from both perspectives."